HOWIE SEAGO By: Jacqueline Holland

Early Life He was born in Tacoma, Washington He was born deaf One of 5 kids –Older Brother-Hard of Hearing –Older Sister- Normal Hearing –Him- Deaf –Younger Sister- Normal Hearing –Younger Brother- Deaf (Billy Seago)

Family 5 children total Mom normal hearing Dad found out at age 21 that he was hard- of-hearing –Wanted to join air force and had hearing tested to become a pilot and found out.

Growing Up He grew up oral, –No sign language –Mad now, wished he had learned ASL when he was younger Him and his deaf brother, Billy, made up homemade signs and talked to each other His family would always talk and he didn’t know what was going on

High School He had 5 deaf kids at his high school Started learning signs, used Total Communication –It was clumsy though, his teacher was just learning it then too

College He went to CHUN, California State University North Ridge He got a bachelor’s degree in Psychology –He wanted to be a councelor and work with deaf children Helping them and their families accept deafness and be happy. –But then acting came along

Acting His mom originally told him he could mime and someone would voice for him Then his roommate, Ted, suggested that he be in a play He started memorizing lines and Ted helped him

Acting Continued He joined the National Theatre of The Deaf His first play that he was ever in was “Ajax” Then he was in a few German productions like “The Forest” and “Beyond Silence”

TV Appearances He was in: –Hunter, police drama series –Star Trek: The Next Generation, tv show –The Equalizer, movie –Rainbow’s End, children’s show he helped create

Started Happy Handfuls –Toured schools –Gave shows to deaf kids He manages the Shared Reading Video Outreach Project –Uses videoconferencing technology –Encourages deaf and hard of hearing children to become interested in reading and to train their parents and teachers how to read stories in ASL.

Accomplishments He has produced different plays. He has been honored a lot and was a recipient for the Helen Hayes Award, He is a central figure of the American Deaf Community

Recently He has acted, directed, and taught for more than 24 years Now he lives in Washington He’s still acting and frustrated –He says Hollywood’s changing, But isn’t ready and he can’t Wait He married Lauri Seago